Charles Alcock
Managing Editor
Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.
Latest from Charles Alcock
Aircraft
Gulfstream 500 gets EASA OK
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the JAA have both now validated the FAA’s type certificate for the Gulfstream 500.
IBM Euroflight gets IS-BAO OK
IBM Euroflight has become the first European corporate flight department to complete the new International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-B
FBOs
Universal opens Beirut handling base
Universal Weather & Aviation is to open a business aircraft handling operation at Beirut International Airport in Lebanon.
New liability insurance requirements in the EU
Operators flying within, to, from or over the 25-nation European Union (EU) need to check their insurance policies to ensure that they meet the new minimum
Cabin Interior and Electronics
OnAir leaves business aviation to rival group
OnAir, the inflight voice and data communications joint venture among Airbus, SITA and Tenzing, will not pursue business aircraft installations for the tim
ATC
File slot requests now for ’04 Games
Corporate aircraft operators wanting to fly to Athens, Greece, for the summer Olympic Games have once again been urged to file slot requests sooner rather
Weston buys London Battersea Heliport
The Harrods Aviation FBO group has sold London Battersea Heliport to Weston Aviation for an undisclosed amount.
Charter & Fractional
London, Moscow popular departure points for large charter aircraft
Customers wanting to fly out of Moscow and London dominate executive charter demand for larger business jets in Europe, according to the latest statistics
Maintenance and Modifications
Component obsolescence will cost industry
Along with other industries, the aviation industry will face mounting costs if it fails to deal with the problem of obsolescent components.
Security
New L-3 missile protection for bizav operators
L-3 Avisys is offering business aircraft operators a missile protection system based on the Widebody Integrated Platform Protection System (WIPPS) that it
Regulations and Government
Taiwan to lift ownership Ban
Taiwan’s government is expected to lift a long-standing prohibition of private aircraft ownership in the first quarter of next year.
EBACE 2005 will be biggest yet
The annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) will be staged next month (May 18 to 20) in Geneva.
German airline launches private jet service
Lufthansa passengers can now book NetJets Europe aircraft to fly them to and from the German flag carrier’s main long-haul hub at Munich.
ATC
JAA: pilots must follow ACAS RAs
Europe’s Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) want to require pilots to respond to resolution advisories (RAs) from airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS)
Sans Boeing, aircraft makers strike gold at Dubai Air Show
Major orders for airliners and their engines once again raised the profile of the biennial Dubai Air Show, held December 7 to 11.
Business aviation finds broader Mideast appeal
The stereotypical business aircraft in the Middle East is a widebody airliner converted to money-no-object specifications for an omnipotent sheikh.
Airports
London airports to get new runways
The British government has cleared the way for new runways to be built at London Heathrow and Stansted Airports.
Regulations and Government
EASA To Roost in Cologne, Germany
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is to be headquartered in Cologne, Germany.
Regulations and Government
European Union’s common flight-time limits draw pilot ire
Last month the European Union (EU) Council of Transport Ministers and the European Parliament finally agreed on new common flight time limitations (FTL) fo
FBOs
New links in BBA's European FBO chain
The BBA Group has added yet another European business aircraft handling operation to its Signature Flight Support chain with the December 8 acquisition of
Charter & Fractional
Air Luxor now provides bizav services as Masterjet
Portugal’s Air Luxor group has restructured most of its business aviation activities under a new subsidiary called Masterjet.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Airborne cellphone service on the horizon
Aircraft passengers should be able to use their own cellphones in flight safely and conveniently before the end of this year through a new service develope
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Jetlab helps operators assess cabin electronics
Customer knowledge today about office-in-the-sky communications technology seems to be similar to the level of understanding of personal computers 10 to 15
Charter & Fractional
Indian charter firm predicts bizav growth
Indian executive charter firm Deccan Aviation, based in Bangalore, is evaluating aircraft from Gulfstream, Bombardier and Cessna with a view to adding up t
Safety
Papua New Guinea court convicts crew for illegal landing
A court in Papua New Guinea (PNG) convicted Australian pilots Andrew Reid and Peter McGee of making an illegal landing in a Cessna Citation II at the disus
British firm to market used bizjets in Russia
UK-based Twinjet has forged an alliance with Russian aerospace export agency Aviaexport to sell used business jets in Russia.
Regulations and Government
Europe considers extending emissions trading plan
The European Union’s new emissions trading requirements for aviation could be imposed on a much larger group of business aircraft than has been anticipated
Regulations and Government
Speed rule made permanent at London Airports
The UK’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has introduced a permanent 250-knot speed restriction for standard instrument departures (SIDs) from London’s
Airports
UK bizav airport getting ILS
Oxford Airport in the UK is being upgraded with a Category I instrument landing system and the widening of its main runway.
Business aviation's next big markets
Asia and the Middle East are widely regarded as the world’s next big markets for business aircraft.
